MILITARY STAR® Card Review 2024 – Forbes Advisor – Technologist

Military Star® Card* vs. PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card*

The PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card* offers unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases for those who qualify and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases for military members. It offers a $100 statement credit after spending $1,500 within the first 90 days of account opening. The Power Cash Rewards Visa Card also has no annual fee. Most importantly, it doesn’t have the location restrictions that the Military Star Card has and can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. If you are looking for a military-focused cash-back card, this is a better option.

Military Star® Card* vs. Navy Federal cashRewards Credit Card

The Navy Federal cashRewards Credit Card has no annual fee and earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases or if eligible, earn 2% cash back with the cashRewards Plus card. Unlike the Military Star® Card*, you also get a welcome offer: Earn $200 bonus cash back after spending $2,000 within 90 days of account opening. Plus a one-time $98 statement credit after paying $49 or more for an annual Walmart+ membership using your cashRewards credit card. Offer available from 11/1/2024-1/1/2025.

Walmart+ comes with discounts of up to 10 cents on fuel at over 13,000 different locations when you are enrolled. This fuel discount is not only a better overall deal but the included eligible gas stations are more accessible.

Military Star® Card* vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has no annual fee and earns 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on eligible dining and drugstores and 1.5% on all other purchases, plus an additional 1.5% cash back on the first $20,000 in purchases the first year. It also offers a welcome bonus of an additional 1.5% cash back on up to $20,000 spent in the first year, worth up to $300 cash back.

This card comes with some nice partner benefits including three free complimentary months of DashPass membership when activated by January 31, 2025 and 5% back on Lyft rides through March 31, 2025. You’ll also receive some nice purchase and travel protections including auto rental coverage, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and extended warranty. Because it’s a Visa card, you can use it all over the world, including many stores on base. But keep in mind the card does charge foreign transaction fees.